Load shedding-friendly solutions from your local Agrimark

LIGHTING

When the power goes off, it’s like everything is put on hold for those hours, unless you have a back-up plan for every need. With a little planning and budgeting, there’s no reason life can’t carry on as usual, with little-to-no disruption when you’re hit by the next round of load shedding. Your local Agrimark carries everything you need to ensure you have lights, heating, internet and a way to boil water or cook when the power goes off.

LOAD SHEDDING TIP: Use an ammunition box or crate to put together a “loadshedding kit” that includes any bits and bobs you might always need on hand when the power goes out. This could include a two-plate gas stove, torch, gas lamp, matches or lighter, battery-powered lamp, candles and so on. Store it out of the way but accessible . Every time the power goes out, you have everything altogether and ready to kick into action.

You also can’t go wrong with a good quality rechargeable torch, like the Ultratec 100l rechargeable torch. Other solutions include rechargeable lanterns, and the Cadac gas lamp, which you might already have if you’re an avid camper.

HOT WATER

A solar geyser is the perfect permanent solution to power cuts. This sun-powered water heating system can either be entirely independent (not reliant on electricity or gas) or part of a hybrid system, where electricity or gas is used as back up. Solar geysers are becoming increasingly popular in South Africa, as more and more households choose to move off grid.

With a solar geyser, your hot water is not affected by load shedding. While it may be more expensive to install initially, a solar geyser saves you around 40% of your electricity bill, so it pays off in the long run.

PROTECT YOUR APPLIANCES

Ellies supply a number of solutions to help protect your appliances from the damage caused by power cuts and surges. Your fridge, tv and Wi-Fi router are the most vulnerable and will be better protected when plugged into a surge protected multiplug.

IN THE KITCHEN

Yes, you can always braai when the power is out, but it might be raining, or you might not have the time to wait for the coals to heat up. Gas is a great alternative! Many of the bigger Agrimark stores stock gas stoves, which mean you can cook – and bake - any time, load shedding or not. You won’t need to adjust the menu as your cooking won’t be interrupted at all.

If on the other hand your electric stove is new or you don’t want to replace it, you could purchase the ALVA stainless steel 2-plate stove or the Cadac easy cooker to use in emergencies - or simply haul out the skottel!

For areas where load shedding happens frequently and for long periods of time, or for those concerned about keeping food fresh, a solar-powered fridge and/or freezer may be the answer.

POWER UP ESSENTIALS

So far, we’ve looked at how you can ensure you have lights, a way to cook your food and heat your geyser. What about working or keeping devices charged? With an Ellies UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) inverter, you can ensure a power source where you need it most, even when there’s loadshedding. Keep it plugged in to charge the battery, and when the power goes out, you have a power device that you can plug your chosen essentials into - for instance your Wi-Fi router. Because the inverter sits on a trolley, it’s easy to move to wherever you need it.

To ensure your device stays powered up when you need it to be, a RED-E Powerbank will do the trick. Keep it fully charged and if you forget to charge your devices before a power cut or it’s unexpected, you have a compact and portable charging unit on hand.

Load shedding is hugely inconvenient, but with the right preparation, you can not only reduce the impact it has on your life when it happens, but also become less and less reliant on “the grid”, as your collection of alternative solutions grows. Consider your load shedding needs, your budget and which useful items you might already have, and then look at how you can most easily fill the gaps!

LOAD SHEDDING - THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS

Power cuts are inconvenient and frustrating, but compared to what it’s designed to prevent, it’s really not that bad. If load shedding fails to protect the national power grid, South Africa runs the risk of a complete national blackout – and that would be disastrous. If the national power grid were to collapse it could take anywhere between one and three weeks to get it back up and running. Back-up generators and batteries would run out of power and it could be detrimental to road safety, hospitals, fire stations, railway systems and airports, not to mention ordinary people trying to live their lives.

Gas refills and swapping at your local Agrimark:

Agrimark stock and sell both Afrox and Cadac gas cylinders in 3kg, 5kg and 9kg sizes, and many stores also refill the 3kg and 5kg bottles.

REFILL: 

Askham, Aussenkehr, Bonnievale, Brandvlei, Ceres, Clanwilliam, Darling, Franschhoek, Graafwater, Kakamas, Keimoes, Kraaifontein, Montagu, Op-Die-Berg, Orchard, Paarl, Patensie, Porterville, Riebeeck-Wes, Robertson, Simondium, Upington, Vredenburg, Wellington

SWAPS: 

Askham, Augrabies, Aussenkehr, Barrydale, Bitterfontein, Bonnievale, Brandvlei, Ceres, Citrusdal, Clanwilliam, Darling, Durbanville, Eendekuil, Elgin, Franschhoek, Garies, Graafwater, Groblershoop, Grootdrink Depot, Hermon, Kakamas, Kamieskroon, Kanon-eiland, Keimoes, Kenhardt, Klawer, Kliprand, Kraaifontein, Kuruman, Langkloof, Loeriesfontein, Lutzville, Montagu, Op-Die-Berg, Orchard, Paarl, Patensie, Philippi, Piketberg, Pofadder, Porterville, Rawsonville, Riebeeck-Wes, Robertson, Simondium, Springbok, Stellenbosch, Tulbagh, Upington, Vanrhynsdorp, Vredenburg, Vredendal, Wellington, Wolseley, Worcester